By Emmanuel Omona PaOkech

The head of the family of the late Tiberio Okeny Atwoma, Deogratious Obina have appeared before the Kitgum Grade One Magistrate court for alleged theft of condolence funds given to the bereaved family by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

The late Atwoma represented Chua constituency in the 1994 Constituency Assembly.

He passed away in October 2012 in Lacor Hospital, Gulu, after a long battle with prostate cancer.

Candida Okeny, the widow to Okeny Atwoma accuses Deogratious Obina of forcefully removing  the 10 million shillings the president gave her during the funeral service.

During the hearing in Kitgum Court, Deogratious Obina however told court that he is entitled to own the money and not his step mother.

Obina who is represented by Ogik and Company advocates denied the allegation saying that part of the money was used for cementing his late father’s grave.

He also maintained that part of the money was used as transport to state house to facilitate the pledges.

George Obong, the Grade One Magistrate who presided over the hearing says the accused person pleaded not guilty and extended his court bail up to 25th February 2013 for another hearing.

The late Tiberio Okeny Atwoma played a commendable  role in the formation of the  a 1995 Uganda Constitution.